Riiiiight.
Because guess who got to go to DC in the middle of a pandemic to help him move?
Riiiiight.
Listen, any other day, I'd be the first one to offer my services. I did go to Dallas to help my sister (big help that I was) and I helped my other brother when he moved. It's what we do. But, I couldn't go this time. Besides the dog causing problems, my 15-year-old has been sick, and all these things were piling up in my brain and I couldn't bring myself to want to go. But, my sister really wanted to go.
My mother decided to help. But, we're in the middle of a pandemic. And she's at risk. So, again, guess who went with my sister to DC in the middle of a pandemic to help our brother move?
Riiiiight.
But, that is not the point of this post.
Honestly, I love DC. My BFF has lived there 20 years now and it's always been a home away from home for me. It's a (most of the time) quick 6 hours from here and then you're in a whole new world. I mean, politics aside, it's a great area. This time was no exception. Even during a pandemic.
I'm not one to get all wrapped up in the political landscape, nor am I one to politicize a pandemic, but dang, DC seems to be doing it right.
Living in Ohio, we were, in the beginning, a leader in our response to the coronavirus. People from all over the country were talking about how well our governor and health director kept us safe. But, something happened along the way... the economy tanked and people lost jobs and got tired of staring at each other (from afar, of course) and wanted to drink in bars so there were more and more critics. In these last few months, the director quit and our governor has gone soft. When, back in March, he was all, "STAY HOME", now he's all, "eh, stay home if you can, but I understand we all have lives to lead." (I still love you, Mike.) Even though we are required to wear masks whenever we're out in public, nothing really happens if you don't. As a result, we're seeing a surge in cases.
Again, this isn't a political thing. I don't think masks infringe upon my freedoms. And I am the first person to tell you I don't like being told what to do. But, it's like my friend's dad always said: "I don't know if there's a God, but it's better to err on the side of caution." The same applies here. I don't know if masks will save the world, but I'm pretty sure the lack of masks won't either. So, wear your damn masks.
The mayor of DC has also mandated masks. And, I'm not sure why or how, but... people are listening. We didn't go anywhere without seeing people in masks. Walking their dog, walking by themselves... if they were outside, they were in masks. The movers were in masks. My brother was in a mask in his own home. And, if you believe the mayor's graphs, DC is showing sustained low transmission. Ohio can take a page out of their playbook.
My 12-year-old was going to run cross country for the first time for his school. But, our county board of health said, "yeah, no sports", so our school postponed all sports. Again, I'm all for the greater good. If my kids are safer at home, they're going to stay home. But, even though we have had a nice quarantine at my house, we are getting tired of staring at each other and we all want to go back to normal. I want my kids to go to school, I want them to play sports, I want them to see their friends. I don't want them to have anxiety and lingering fears once this is over. So, the sooner we can all do the right thing, be safe, and wear our damn masks, I really believe the sooner this will all be over.
So, listen up, Ohio. I don't know if masks will help, but I certainly know that masks can't hurt. I want this stupid virus to be over already, so get your shit together. I'm over it.
